Two clear years to the next gubernatorial elections in Anambra State, the political wheels are already turning. Nwanosike Onu reports on the foot soldiers, forerunners and personalities being touted as potential successors to the incumbent, Governor Peter Obi

When Enugu State was created twenty years ago, there were high hopes and expectations. Many dreamt of rapid development but two decades after, the vision has become blurred. Successive governments have failed to tackle the challenges facing the state.



By most assessments the administrations of Senator Chris Ngige and the incumbent, Peter Obi, have given some rays of hope. Both have provided what people believe to be a foundation for those who will come after to build upon.

Although the next election in the state is not due until 2014, the race to succeed the incumbent is well and truly on. Already, some names have started emerging as contenders for the governorship seat two years before Obi hands over. Political groups have started emerging across senatorial zones and even in the Diaspora in relation to the coming contest.

Some of those being touted include former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo; Senator Chris Ngige, Senator Andy Uba, the Chief Executive of Capital Oil and Gas, Ifeanyi Ubah; and Uche Ekwunife, House of Representatives member representing Njikoka, Anaocha, Dunukofia Federal Constituency.

Groups like Anambra Revival Movement (ARM) led by Rev. Chris Orajekwe from Ogbunka in Orumba South Local Government Area and Igboadagbe People’s Forum spearheaded by Chief Chikodi Anarah are positioning themselves for the gubernatorial race.

Of the political parties in the country, only Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) are firmly rooted in Anambra State. Any of these could provide a solid platform for a candidate to challenge the ruling APGA.

Though none of the touted candidates have openly declared their intention to run in 2014, independent checks from some of their close allies shows that they are already oiling their machinery and initiating groundwork in preparation for the race.
Senator Andy Uba

It is obvious that Senator Andy Uba from the South Senatorial zone is likely to have another shot at the governorship seat in 2014. He won the dispute race in 2007. But 17 days after, the Supreme Court pronounced Peter Obi governor.
Since then, he has not rested. In 2010, he contested again without much seriousness. The belief was that he went into the race for the sole purpose of scuttling a Soludo victory. He believes he was unjustifiably denied ticket of the PDP.

Senator Chris Ngige
It was gathered that the strongman of Anambra politics is being wooed by the youth and women groups to take another shot at the seat. His party, ACN, is reportedly positioning him as sole candidate for the race. He was governor until sacked by the Supreme Court. He contested again in 2010 but lost out.

Prof. Chukwuma Soludo
Soludo, it was gathered, has been putting machinery in motion to give it the fight of his life in 2014. Some notable politicians in the state are reportedly already watering the ground for him. He contested in 2010 but lost to the incumbent. Back then he was a political neophyte. However, the experiences from that contest could improve invaluable as he makes another bid. If he is able to reach common ground with the godfathers controlling the Anambra PDP, he could prove a formidable challenger in 2014.
Uche Ekwunife
One of the closest allies of Ekwunife, popularly called Iyom by her admirers, said the legislator was gearing up for another run for the seat. But he failed to mention under what platform. He said: “This is a woman that has given back to the society through her well articulated programmes right from her days in the bank and at the National Assembly and we believe, it is the right time for her to come back to this state and offer service to the people”.
But Governor Obi is not sleeping either. Reports said he is already positioning a good candidate from APGA to continue from where he is going to stop. Sources say Obi has lined up 40-year-old oil and gas wheeler-dealer, Ifeanyi Uba, to take over from him.
In the last one year, Obi and Uba have consolidated their relationship. His alleged endorsement by Obi is, however, is already causing ripples in the party. Many consider him just a financial member who knows next to nothing in politics.

Besides the issue of candidates, many groups in the state are also gearing up for the contest. One of them, Igboadagbe Peoples Forum from the North Senatorial zone believes one of its own should be the next governor. The forum, which calls itself a child of necessity, nurtured by the desires to incorporate a sense of fairness and equity in the race for the governorship of Anambra State, is pioneered by Chief Chikodi Anarah from Amanuke community in the area.

Anarah believes someone from the zone should be the next governor. The zone, he said, has never produced a governor in the history of the state. He said: “For how long shall the people continue to appeal to governors to remember them? How long shall they continue to thank governors for remembering them? If Saint Paul had been a citizen of Macedonia, would any voice have called him to come over to Macedonia and help? Is it not yet time for Igboadagbe people to wake up and look for Saint Paul from within? The answer is that time is ripe”.

On its part, the Anambra Revival Movement (ARM) says it is not attached to any political party. It describes itself as a forum trying to reshape the political system of the state. Its leader, Rev. Chris Orajekwe said: “I have operated with the godfathers and I can tell you that I know their tactics and it is left for me to educate the masses on how not to fall prey of their antics. Their rice must be rejected this time around and after the next elections, it continues”.

As the years turn to months and months reduce to days, the race will become hotter and hotter and only the truly resilient would get to seat on Obi’s chair


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